Trailers demand 80 per cent rise in transportation fees

Chennai: Business in the city might be affected if the planned strike by the owners of trailers takes place on Thursday (August 7). Nearly 3,000 vehicles ply to and from Chennai port every day carrying cargo. The trailer owners have demanded an 80 per cent increase in costs for transporting cargo citing steep rise in diesel price, rise in driver salaries, taxes and other expenses.

“All our expenses including the diesel price, have gone up in the last few years. But the rates for carrying the load have not been revised in the last four years. So six trailer owner associations have come together and have decided to raise this issue. Our vehicles will not play on Thursday, unless they agree to our demand,” said Tamil Nadu Trailer Owners’ Association (TTOA) president V. Prabhakaran.

According to him, a trailer carrying import container is paid Rs 3,000, while an export container carrying vehicle is paid Rs 5,000. Empty vehicles are paid Rs 2,000. “We have asked for Rs 2000 increase across all segments, as the present rates are not enough,” he added. K. Jagadeesan, advisor to TTOA said that a minimum of Rs 1,000 is spent on diesel and driver bata alone comes to Rs 300 per day.

Chennai Customs House Agents Association members said that the industry couldn’t afford a strike now. “We are aware of the strike notice and a meeting has been scheduled with the trailer owners on August 5 to discuss the quantum of increase in rates. It is true that the rates have not been revised for the last four years. We may agree to increase the rates by about 50 per cent and settle the issue amicably,” they added.